Accurate Detection of Hcy in Human Serum and Two-Photon Visualization of Atherosclerosis Using a Highly Specific Fluorescent Probe

As an important metabolic intermediate of sulfur-containing amino acids in human body, homocysteine (Hcy) is regarded as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Therefore, real-time monitoring of the fluctuation of Hcy level is of great importance for the early diagnosis as well as the treatment of atherosclerosis. Herein, a new two-photon (TP) fluorescent probe (RH-2) was developed via a hydrogen bond-assisted strategy, which had a high specificity for detecting Hcy over cysteine (Cys) and glutathione (GSH) in solution, cells, and tissue. Probe RH-2 was applied to the quantitative determination of Hcy in human serum successfully. Moreover, the two-photon fluorescence (TPF) imaging of abnormal expression of Hcy in aortic vessels and liver of atherosclerotic model mice were fulfilled by RH-2. Therefore, probe RH-2 can be served as a potential tool to understand the function of Hcy in atherosclerosis, supplying a clinical promise for the early diagnosis of atherosclerosis (AS).